Controlling device for cursor and method for operating the same

• US 20060114240A1
• Filed: 05/05/2005
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Holtek Semiconductor Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Holtek Semiconductor Incorporated
• Inventors: Lin, Yi-Chan
• Application Number:
  US11/122,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20060114240A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0448 Details of the electrode shape, e.g. for enhancing the detection of touches, for generating specific electric field shapes, for enhancing display quality

Abstract

A controlling device for the cursor and the method for operating the same are provided. The controlling device includes a capacitor array having a plurality of equivalent capacitors, a microprocessor electrically connected to the capacitor array for sending a pulse train to the capacitor array in the x-direction and receiving a potential of each equivalent capacitor in the y-direction so as to determine a movement of a cursor, and a charge-absorbing device disposed above the capacitor array, wherein when the charge-absorbing device is moved correspondingly to a position of a specific equivalent capacitor in the capacitor array, a storage charge of the specific equivalent capacitor is absorbed so that the potential thereof is lowered, and thereby the movement of the cursor is determined by the microprocessor.

Claims

1. A controlling device, comprising:

a capacitor array comprising a plurality of equivalent capacitors;

a microprocessor electrically connected to said capacitor array for sending a pulse train to said capacitor array in x-direction and receiving a potential of each said equivalent capacitor in y-direction so as to determine a movement of a cursor; and

a charge-absorbing device disposed above said capacitor array, wherein when said charge-absorbing device is moved correspondingly to a position of a specific equivalent capacitor in said capacitor array, a storage charge of said specific equivalent capacitor is absorbed so that said potential thereof is lowered, thereby said movement of said cursor being determined by said microprocessor.

2. The controlling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said capacitor array is in a shape of one selected from a group consisting of a cross, a snake, a comb, a circle and a spiral.

3. The controlling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said charge-absorbing device is one of a rod and a cone bodies.

4. The controlling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when said charge-absorbing device is connected to said specific equivalent capacitor, said potential thereof is even lowered, thereby a function being performed as a mouse-click.

5. The controlling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when said charge-absorbing device is successively connected to said specific equivalent capacitor and then moved away, a function as a scroll wheel is performed.

6. The controlling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said charge-absorbing device is operated by a user'"'"'s fingers.

7. The controlling device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said charge-absorbing device is made of an electrically conductive material so that said storage charge of said specific equivalent capacitor is absorbed by said user'"'"'s fingers via said charge-absorbing device.

8. The controlling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said charge-absorbing device has a grounded metal bar disposed at a front end thereof for absorbing said storage charge of said specific equivalent capacitor.

9. The controlling device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a housing and an operating portion.

10. The controlling device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said operating portion is an elastic rubber piece.

11. The controlling device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said elastic rubber piece is disposed on said housing and connected to said charge-absorbing device for said user to easily operate therethrough with his fingers so as to control said movement of said cursor.

12. The controlling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said capacitor array and said microprocessor are disposed on common printed circuit board.

13. A method for operating a controlling device, wherein said controlling device comprises a capacitor array having a plurality of equivalent capacitors, a microprocessor for sending a pulse train to and receiving a potential of each said equivalent capacitor from said capacitor array, and a charge-absorbing device disposed above said capacitor array, comprising steps of:

determining a movement of a cursor by said microprocessor when said charge-absorbing device is moved correspondingly to a position of a specific equivalent capacitor in said capacitor array and thus a storage charge of said specific equivalent capacitor is absorbed and said potential thereof is lowered; and

determining a selection as a mouse-click by said microprocessor when said charge-absorbing device is connected to said specific equivalent capacitor and thus said potential thereof is even lowered.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said pulse train is sent to said capacitor array in x-direction.

15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said potential of each said equivalent capacitor is received from said capacitor array in y-direction.

16. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a step of performing a function as a scroll wheel when said charge-absorbing device is successively connected to said specific equivalent capacitor and then moved away.

17. A method for operating a controlling device, wherein said controlling device comprises a capacitor array having a plurality of equivalent capacitors, a microprocessor for sending a pulse train to and receiving a potential of each said equivalent capacitor from said capacitor array, and a charge-absorbing device disposed above said capacitor array, comprising steps of:

determining a movement of a cursor by said microprocessor when said charge-absorbing device is moved correspondingly to a position of a specific equivalent capacitor in said capacitor array and thus a storage charge of said specific equivalent capacitor is absorbed and said potential thereof is lowered; and

performing a function as a scroll wheel when said charge-absorbing device is successively connected to said specific equivalent capacitor and then moved away.